MELA PAKISTAN XI: Back from left: Waleed Akhtar (Saltaire), Tabbi Bhatti (Undercliffe), Sarfraz Ahmed (Woodlands), Farakh Hussain (Undercliffe), Yassir Abbas (Saltaire), Tauseef Arshad (Saltaire). Front: Numan Shabbir (Manager), Nawaz Sardar (Undercliffe), Fahid Rehman (Windhill), Babar Butt (Pudsey Congs) Captain, Muhammad Azharullah (East Bierley), Adil Islam (Baildon)

Sarfraz Ahmed produced some stunning hitting to secure a thrilling one-wicket win for the Mela Pakistan XI over the Mela Australia XI at Manningham Mills on Sunday.

The large and enthusiastic crowd roared their approval as Sarfraz smashed eight sixes and two fours in an unbeaten 65 to snatch victory for his side in a match which was part of the Yorkshire Cricket mela - an event to promote this week's Pakistan v Australia Test at Headingley Carnegie.

The Paklistan XI were struggling at 174-8 in reply to the Mela Australian XI's score of 239-9 when skipper Babar Butt departed with 12 overs remaining.

Captains Luke Waters and Babar Butt

Sarfraz was unfazed by the situation. he took the attack to the Australians and delighted the spectators with some huge blows.

The Woodlands player was joined in a ninth wicket stand of 47 by East Bierley's Muhammad Azharullah.

When Azharullah was dismissed by Jake Thorne, there were still 19 runs needed from six overs.

Last man Tauseef Arshad of Manningham Mills joined Sarfraz and gave solid support as the target was whittled down.

Sarfraz reached his half-century off 31 balls, but showed greater caution as he set his sights on securing victory.

The target had been reduced to two when the last over started and Safraz ended the game by striking the first ball for four to spark celebrations among the Mela Pakistan team and the spectators.

The Mela Pakistan XI's innings had been something of a roller coaster ride. Openers Tabbi Bhatti (Undercliffe) and Fahid Rehman (Windhill) were both dismissed by paceman Chris Lloyd to reduce the home side to 14-2.

Farakh Hussain (Undercliffe) and Adil Islam (Baildon) didn't allow the situation to stifle them. They carried the attack to the bowlers before both perished with half centuries in reach.

Warren Else captured both wickets. First he had Hussain caught by Jake Hart for 47 - an innings which contained nine fours and a six, then Islam was superbly caught by Michael Warne on the long off boundary for 44.

Warne's catch typified the athletic fielding of the Australian side. They kept runs at a premium with their never-say-die attitude.

When Islam departed at 116-4 the Mela Pakistan XI looked well set, but wickets continued to tumble as the Australians sensed they could win the match.

Waleed Akhtar (Saltaire), Nawaz Sardar (Undercliffe), Yassir Abbas (Saltaire) and Butt (Pudsey Congs) all perished as the Mela Pakistan XI slumped to 174-8, but Sarfraz had the final word.

Defeat was a disappointment for the young Australian side because they put up a magnificent fight and one plenty of admirers for the quality of their cricket - and in particular their impressive fielding.

One man who most definitely didn't deserve to be a loser was Jacob Thorne. He dominated his side's innings with a superb innings of 102 which contained three sixes and 13 fours.

Thorne, who plays in the Central Yorkshire League with Wakefield St Michael's, arrived at the crease with his side in trouble at 24-2, but he didn't let the situation trouble him.

His shot selection was good and he gathered his runs off 92 balls without ever needing to slog.

The warm reception he received from the appreciative spectators and the Mela Pakistan XI fielders was an indication of the quality of his innings.

Thorne shared in two crucial partnerships. He put on 70 for the third wicket with skipper Luke Waters (39) and 110 for the fourth wicket with Michael Warne (20).

Azharullah was the pick of the Mela Pakistan XI bowlers. He took 2-11 in his opening four over spell and added four more victims in his second burst to finish with six for 32 from his eight overs.

He bowled fast and straight at the death and it enabled the Mela Pakistan XI to put a brake on the Australians' scoring rate - something which was to prove crucial to the outcome of a wonderful match.

The atmosphere of the occasion was added to by drummers and disco music. It was a wonderful match and an occasion which did much to promote the game of cricket to the community in Manningham.

Mela Australian XI